Uptown Charlotte has a new hot spot that generated quite a buzz around town this past week when E2 Emeril’s Eatery opened January 26th. This type of anticipation and hype is something only a true superstar celebrity chef can generate and folks all over are excited to get their reservation in and give it a try.
One diner sitting at the food bar watching Emeril working in the kitchen had this to say, “I have Emeril’s stuff all over my kitchen at home and have watched him on TV for years; so for me to be able to come and eat his food is an amazing experience.”
Emeril Lagasse, the culinary icon from Fall River, Massachusetts of Commanders Palace and Food Network fame has built his restaurant empire one restaurant at a time, one step at a time. With distinctive signature restaurants in New Orleans, Bethlehem, PA, Orlando, FL, Las Vegas and now Charlotte; Emeril has once again come up with something truly unique. “My restaurants are like my children, they all have their own, philosophy, personality, heart and soul. We aren’t stamping these things out, E2 has a personality all its own. This one is lucky number thirteen.”
E2 is a new era for Emeril and his team, “This concept is in respect to how people are eating and dining out and toward the Charlotte area in general. We are using lots of local purveyors, farmers, fishermen, shrimpers, oyster luggers to help us provide a fun and delicious eating experience.”
Just hours before the opening this past Thursday Emeril said. “We have been working on this one for 15 months; it is a great feeling to finally be standing here on this day”, When asked why Charlotte? Emeril had this to say, “I have had a love filled relationship with Charlotte for a lot of years now because of my affiliation with Johnson and Wales University. I feel that Charlotte is the best kept secret for food; probably in all of America. The city is great, the people are great and the area is agriculturally rich in land and sea”.
The sea is well represented on the menu with raw/chilled seafood section. Crudo selections of yellowfin tuna, Scottish salmon and hamachi are all available each with its own twist of flavors that highlight the natural flavor of fresh fish itself. Flanking both sides of the exhibition style kitchen are chalk boards with origins of such seafood items as clams, oysters, shrimp and trout all hailing for local and regional mongers in North Carolina.
The search for the best meat products available are also evident on the menu stating the name of the farm or ranch where each cut of meat is from; Painted Hills Rib-Eye, Creekstone Natural Angus Strip, Harris Ranch Filet Mignon, Ashley Farm Chicken, Nyman Ranch Pork Loin.
After tasting dishes like pork cheeks with dirty rice, fresh apple and crispy brussel sprouts or barbecued lamb ribs you will wonder what Emeril’s secret is to coaxing such incredible flavors out of such basic ingredients.
Emeril’s creativity is obvious throughout the menu in versions of classic dishes given the flare and care only he can do. Emeril’s version of chicken and waffles is given a new life with a fried chicken thigh served over a house-made buckwheat waffle with slaw and sorghum molasses. The simple spinach salad is elevated to new heights with duck cracklins’, local Chapel Hill Creamery feta cheese, grape tomatoes, shaved radish and perfectly dressed with NC wildflower honey vinaigrette.
Wine is a big part of the program at E2 as can be noticed with the huge iconic display of wine in the front bar area and also in the rear dining area of the restaurant. The restaurant is derived from the philosophy of using the best quality ingredients and making everything from scratch and the bar is a big part of that concept. “The cocktails are all signature cocktails with homemade infusions and syrups from scratch. Basically the philosophy of the restaurant is just that, it’s all made from scratch.” Emeril stated as he pointed to the huge wall of wine.
Having such an iconic celebrity chef as the face of a signature one of kind restaurant right here in Charlotte’s uptown, it is only natural to think that once the restaurant is off and running that he will also be, but Emeril states, “This isn’t something that I am just putting my name on; I am in my restaurants all the time. We have been in the restaurant business for a long time and don’t rest on our laurels. We come in everyday and try a little better than yesterday.”
E2 Emeril’s Eatery will serve dinner Monday - Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Reservations may be made by calling the restaurant at 704-414-4787.
Complimentary valet parking is available in front of the restaurant. Self parking is also available in the Levine Center for the Arts parking garage, which is accessible via South Church Street or Stonewall Street.
For full menu, directions and more information on e2 emeril’s eatery, please visit e2emerils.com. For all things Emeril, including recipes, news and more, please visit emerils.com.
This is a follow up article to Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse opening restaurant in uptown Charlotte, from January 23, 2011.
Chef Troy can be seen every Tuesday morning on Fox News Rising Morning for his cooking segments "Tuesdays with Troy" from 7-9 am on Fox Charlotte.
Comments